Whether it’s Australia’s revolving-door leadership and “fuck off we’re full” independent candidates, the U.K.’s Brexit shitstorm, or that whole thing in the U.S. – not to mention China’s current power grab, the Kremlin’s supposed tampering, or any number of other countries’ woes – the political landscape seems more and more farcical as the years go by.
Scary for many of us, but for political commentators, it’s verdant turf – including beloved U.K. resident Jonathan Pie, whose darkly comedic satire on political reporting is heading to Australian shores for the first time this May.
With that to look forward to, we’re also checking out a handful of our current favourite comedians and commentators who manage to wring some sharp observations and plenty of dry chuckles out of a pretty crazy political landscape – here are some of their absolute highlights.
Jonathan Pie
Jonathan Pie uses the absurdity of on-the-spot reporting and the live, haphazard nature of this type of television to deliver brutal takes on the U.K. political and social situation. Although most of his material is resolutely U.K.-aimed, the themes and Pie’s off-kilter/off-the-rail approach makes his particular brand of comedy quite universal. Having said that, his spot-on acting often means that — like Colbert — many can’t tell these aren’t actual reports.
Check out this hilarious take, below, and find out more about his upcoming tour here.
John Oliver
The most recent darling of the late night political scene, Oliver’s Daily Show pedigree, and U.K. upbringing means he has both a sharp political mind, and the necessary distance to take a WTF outsider’s view on the baffling American political system and its many players.
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Being a Pom, he often turns his laser focus towards Australian politics, too, recently taking easy shots at Barnaby Joyce’s public meltdown, and tackling the absurdity of our Postal Service, as seen in the clip below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjnTfoSEY38
Dave Chappelle
While you wouldn’t immediately think of him as a political comedian, his searing take on race relations in America during two seasons of the unassailable Chappelle’s Show and across numerous stand up specials has influenced a generation of comedians, while he proved he was nobody’s puppet when he walked away from a rumoured $100 million deal with Comedy Central for a third season after he realised some of his racially-charged comedy was attracting the wrong audiences, who mistook satire as permission to mock along.
His recent two-part Netflix special tackled the #MeToo movement, and while many disagreed with his stance, it’s hard to deny the power of how he delivered his message. Towards the end of the second special he is sitting on a stool, leaning forward, delivering in a clear measured tone what was akin to a sermon to a rapt audience. That’s political power.
Jon Stewart
As host of The Daily Show — a satirical news program that actually taught you more about the news that the actual news — for 17 years, Stewart’s uncompromising slaying of politicians and the media alike set the bar for late night political commentary.
He stepped away from the show in 2015 to move further into film-making; his politically-charged drama Rosewater is a necessary masterpiece.
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert is a creation by a man who shares the same name, which is why a lot of his conservative-mocking commentary can attract the very people he aims to lampoon. Colbert had an unrivalled run as the host of his own show, before dropping the act (mostly) and taking over The Late Show.
His finest hour was when he somehow convinced George W. Bush’s advisors that his closed-minded, right-wing character wasn’t shtick, and they invited him to speak at the 2006 White House Correspondent’s Dinner. What followed was a ten-minute takedown of Bush, delivered in a straight manner that almost disguises the glint in his eye, as if to suggest, “I can’t believe I’m getting away with this”. Bush was furious, as is evident by the below footage where he seethes and smiles without his eyes.
Russell Brand
While he is often cast as a caricature that lands somewhere between Jim Morrison and Roger Rabbit, in reality Russell Brand is a deeply involved political commentator, who uses people’s preconceived notions of him to catch them unawares, complete skewer their points, and attack them using a boundless intellect and his quick wit.
Brand speaks freely and loosely of a revolution, but his web program The Trews helps to undercover politic injustice at every level.
Watch the below interview with Jeremy Paxton on BBC Newsnight, as he outclasses and outsmarts the clearly-thrown veteran journalist.
Janeane Garofalo
She started as a Daria-type dry comedian — the epitome of Gen X — but slowly matured to become an outspoken political commentator, really making her transformation during the rise and reign of George W. Bush – an era which bred a lot of political anger, as well as a fair share of searing-hot comic takes.
Here is Garofalo speaking about this transformation, and how real life now influences her on-stage act.
Jonathan Pie’s debut Australian tour
May 18, 2018
Regal Theatre, Perth
(7pm) All Ages
May 19, 2018
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
(7:30pm) All Ages
May 20, 2018
The Street Theatre, Canberra
(7:30pm) All Ages
May 22, 2018
The Old Museum, Brisbane
(7:30pm) All Ages
May 25, 2018
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
(9:15pm) All Ages
May 26, 2018
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
(7:30pm) All Ages
